Infection control professionals' and infectious diseases physicians' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing COVID-19 in Australian healthcare settings

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has placed unprecedented demands on infection control professionals (ICPs) and infectious disease (ID) physicians. This study examined their knowledge, preparedness, and experiences managing COVID-19 in the Australasian healthcare settings. Methods A cross-sectional study of ICP and ID physician members of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) and the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) was conducted using an online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise and report data. Results A total of 103 survey responses were included in the analysis for ICPs and 45 for ID physicians. A majority of ICPs (78.7%) and ID physicians (77.8%) indicated having ‘very good’ or ‘good’ level of knowledge of COVID-19. Almost all ICPs (94.2%) relied on state or territory’s department of health websites to source up-to-date information. While most ID physicians (84.4%) used scientific literature and journals. A majority of ICPs (96%) and ID physicians (73.3%) reported feeling ‘moderately prepared’ or ‘extremely prepared’ for managing COVID-19. Most respondents had received specific training about COVID-19 within their workplace (ICPs: 75%; ID physicians: 66.7%), particularly training/certification in PPE use, which made them feel ‘mostly or entirely confident’ in using it. Most ICPs (84.5%) and ID physicians (76.2%) reported having ‘considerably’ or ‘moderately more’ work added to their daily duties. Their biggest concerns included the uncertainties under a rapidly changing landscape, PPE availability, and community’s compliance. Conclusions Harmonised information, specific COVID-19 training and education, and adequate support for front-line workers are key to successfully managing COVID-19 and other future outbreaks.

Key lessons from the COVID-19 public health response in Australia

“… 42 Adequate IPC training is important for all staff working in health or residential care facilites, as is the development of practical risk reduction frameworks. 43 …”

Burnout, stress and resilience of an Australian regional hospital during COVID-19: a longitudinal study

“…Despite the low mortality rates in Australia compared to other countries, the psychological wellbeing of hospital staff is in peril. The increasing rates of burnout symptoms may be attributed to fear of contagion [95], perception of workplace support [96], or prolonged anticipation of a disaster in a constantly changing environment [97], suggesting a constant state of psychological alertness and fear of the high mortality rates among healthcare workers globally [98]. Since these attributions are largely speculative, more research is necessary to determine the most accurate cause.…”

Sustaining the Australian respiratory workforce through the COVID‐19 pandemic: a scoping literature review

“…Surveys covered HCW from China, 6 , 8 , 18 Pakistan, 9 India, 20 the United Kingdom, 12 , 17 , 35 , 43 Libya, 23 , 35 , 46 Spain, 32 Singapore, 42 South Africa, 44 the United States, 31 , 47 Australia 3 , 48 , 54 and Turkey. 39 Surveys identified a number of concerns among HCW, including lack of PPE, 17 , 20 , 23 , 32 , 33 , 43 , 44 lack of preparedness, 9 , 17 , 20 , 23 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 55 staff shortages 32 , 33 , 43 and infection risk. 6 , 8 , 18 , 31 , 42 , 54 Additional factors contributing to mental health disturbances included lack of supervisor or institutional support, 31 , 49 , 55 female sex, 6 , ...…”

“…The need for retraining was made apparent in a number of studies, particularly for critical care skills 15 , 26 , 53 and infection control. 12 , 15 , 23 Many of the studies focussed on HCW mental health and well‐being, highlighting factors that contributed to anxiety and stress, including the need to work in a high‐risk setting, 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 18 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 31 burnout, 43 concerns about preparedness and planning 9 , 17 , 32 , 33 , 37 , 40 , 44 , 48 and the need for psychosocial support. 41 …”

“…Surveys covered HCW from China, 6,8,18 Pakistan, 9 India, 20 the United Kingdom, 12,17,35,43 Libya, 23,35,46 Spain, 32 Singapore, 42 South Africa, 44 the United States, 31,47 Australia 3,48,54 and Turkey. 39 Surveys identified a number of concerns among HCW, including lack of PPE, 17,20,23,32,33,43,44 lack of preparedness, 9,17,20,23,44,46,48,55 staff shortages 32,33,43 and infection risk.…”